A teal pumpkin on someone’s porch during Halloween has a specific meaning. While pumpkins are usually orange, some people use a teal pumpkin to show that their home is safe for those with food allergies. It can be difficult enough for children who have food allergies (whether it be peanuts or gluten) to go trick-or-treating and get candy they can actually eat. The teal pumpkin eliminates that worry for parents and kids alike!
The Teal Pumpkin Project was created for children with food allergies to have a fun Halloween just like kids who don’t suffer from such allergies. On October 31st, participating houses will offer non-food items as treats instead of candy. These include things like stickers, pencils, and other goodies.
The Teal Pumpkin Project was created by Food Allergy Research and Education in 2014 as a way to raise awareness for food allergies. Households can join the initiative by placing a teal pumpkin outside their homes on Halloween to show that they are participating in the project. There are houses participating in the initiative all over the world, with pumpkins being spotted in every state in America and fourteen different countries.
FARE reports, “The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies, and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick-or-treaters. Help us make this Halloween one to remember!”
You can add your house to the FARE website’s interactive map if you want to join in on the Teal Pumpkin Project this Halloween. The FARE website reads, “By adding your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map, you are making your house easy to find for those on the hunt for non-food treats. The more houses added to the Map, the more inclusive (and therefore more fun) we can make Halloween!”
You can find resources for getting started with the initiative and what types of non-food rewards you can offer.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is all about inclusion and making Halloween fun for everyone, regardless of allergies. If you would like to learn more or join the movement, please visit their website for more information. Trick-or-treaters will be thrilled that you’re part of making Halloween enjoyable for them!
The next time you see a teal pumpkin on someone’s porch, remember that it indicates the house is allergen-free! And if you have a child with food allergies, they can enjoy trick-or-treating just like everyone else by visiting these homes. Look for the Teal Pumpkin Project sign and make your Halloween safe and fun for everyone!
